Justice Minister Michael Wills MP gives his first public speech on Tuesday 21 April, 1-2pm, for the British Institute of Human Rights, since the publication of the Government’s Green Paper on Rights and Responsibilities.

The Government published its Green Paper on Rights and Responsibilities on 23 March 2009.

Justice Minister Michael Wills said: “The Government believes there is a case for drawing out more clearly and explicitly the responsibilities which go with rights. Our Green Paper sets the framework for a national debate and deals with some of the most fundamental questions we face as individuals and as a society – how we live together, what rights and freedoms we enjoy, what duties and obligations we owe.”

“This debate is now underway and I look forward to speaking at the British Institute of Human Rights about how we might better articulate the responsibilities we owe and the rights we have as members of UK society.”

The British Institute of Human Rights welcomes any opportunity for a national conversation on how human rights can be further protected in the UK. However, it is concerned that the Green Paper lacks a clear vision of how it adds to the existing Human Rights Act, which already protects many rights in UK law.

Ceri Goddard, Acting Director of the British Institute of Human Rights said: “We are very pleased to provide an opportunity for the public to quiz Michael Wills over the Government’s plans for a Bill of Rights. The Human Rights Act provides an effective floor for human rights protection in Britain. A Bill of Rights is only worth pursuing if it adds meaningfully to this floor, and we want to hear how the Government thinks this can be done in a way which will benefit all people, but especially the most vulnerable across the UK.”

BIHR thinks that the consultation on a Bill of Rights potentially provides an opportunity to safeguard and reinforce the value of fundamental rights for all people in the UK, provided the following essential issues are recognised:

· It is absolutely critical that any new Bill of Rights does not fall below minimum standards already set out in the Human Rights Act, which enforces in the UK the rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.

· All people in the UK, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, must enjoy equal protection of their human rights. Human rights by definition apply to all human beings, they are universal and do not depend on a person’s immigration or citizenship status.

· Human rights already trigger responsibilities. For many rights this includes balancing the rights of the individual against the rights of others and wider society, such as freedom of expression, or right to a private or family life. An exception to this is the prohibition of torture, which can never be violated under any circumstances. BIHR is concerned that the Government’s Green Paper on a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities may leave a false impression that existing human rights do not already carry clear lines of responsibility, accountability, monitoring and enforcement.

· A Bill of Rights provides an opportunity to safeguard in UK law, those human rights which the UK is has already agreed to internationally. BIHR is disappointed that the Government is not making a clear case for enforceable human rights that cover economic and social aspects of our lives, such as health, education and housing. It is these rights that often hold greatest meaning to people in Britain. There are many ways of making such rights enforceable which permits judicial oversight, whilst retaining Parliament’s role in formulating social policy and allocating resources. A Bill of Rights can also embed protections to a right a jury trial and other civil liberties.

· The public debate about a Bill of Rights must be comprehensive and inclusive: BIHR believes that the debate on a Bill of Rights must involve a wide range of people in society, including the most vulnerable and disadvantaged whose human rights are often most at risk yet who often have the least say. This requires the Government to ensure that any consultation process is fully accessible to ensure equal opportunity for everyone to take part.

· A debate on human rights must provide people with the facts about human rights. BIHR believes that people must be given comprehensive information about human rights, which includes demonstrating the positive changes human rights can make in people’s lives. It is only when people understand and own human rights that they become relevant and real.

Following Michael Wills’ lecture on 21 April, and the previous lecture given in November by Nick Herbert, the then justice shadow secretary for the Conservatives, on 5 May Chris Huhne MP of the Liberal Democrats will deliver his own response to the proposed Bill and present his party’s vision for rights and freedoms in the UK

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To book your place at BIHR’s upcoming lunchtime lectures please visit www.bihr.org.uk

The Government’s Green Paper, Rights and Responsibilities: developing our constitutional framework, can be viewed at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/rights-responsibilities.pdf

BIHR’s Lunchtime lectures are now in their 23rd year. They are open to the public and free of charge. The lectures are kindly sponsored by Irwin Mitchell and One Crown Office Row.

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1. Liberal Conspiracy

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